12 Lessons From The Greatest Ronin
Miyamoto Musashi is one of the greatest swordsman in Japanese history. He won 61 duels by the age of 29.
"That to have no principles or to live beside them, is equally miserable. And that philosophers are not those that speak but do great things."
— Thomas Traherne
Miyamoto Musashi (1585 -1645) is a sword saint and a legend.
He wrote two books which are on the shelves of every martial artist and business leader in Japan.
The Book of Five Rings (五輪の書, Go Rin No Sho) contains strategies of warfare, single combat, and most importantly the Way to finding enlightenment and meaning as a warrior.
The Dokkodo (獨行道, The Path of Aloneness) is a list of 21 precepts for living a life of honesty and honour.
Musashi believed that the Way to enlightenment requires you to become both a warrior and a scholar. In the opening chapter of The Book of Five Rings, he writes, “The warrior’s Way is the twofold Way of Pen and Sword, and he should have a taste for both Ways.”
What does he mean here?
Don’t abandon your body to strengthen your mind, nor abandon your mind to strengthen your body. The mind without the body is weak, the body without the mind is a fool.
A warrior-scholar embodies his principles daily. As Traherne says, “That to have no principles or to live beside them, is equally miserable.”
Musashi encourages you to unify and harmonize your body and mind through the Way.
Stop living a compartmentalised life. Become one with yourself.
Discover Miyamoto Musashi’s timeless principles for finding meaning and enlightenment on the newest episode:
12 Lessons from Miyamoto Musashi:
Anyone can be a warrior. “Even if a man has no natural ability, he can be a warrior by sticking assiduously to both divisions of the Way. Generally speaking, the Way of the warrior is a resolute acceptance of death.”
There is always strength within. “There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself.”
“Perceive those things which cannot be seen.”
“Do not think dishonestly.”
“You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain.”
Once you understand the truth, you will always see the truth. “The way of the warrior does not include other Ways, such as Confucianism, Buddhism, certain traditions, artistic accomplishment and dancing. But even though these are not part of the way, if you know the Way broadly you will see it in everything.”
“Do not seek pleasure for its own sake.”
“Think lightly of yourself and think deeply of the world.”
“Be detached from desire your whole life long.”
“Never be jealous of others, good or bad.”
“Do not shun death in the Way.”
“Sacrifice your life before you sacrifice your name.”
Till next week, peace!